Saudi prosecutors will seek the death penalty for at least five suspects in the slaying of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, according to state media.

Key points:

Prosecutors have asked for evidence from Turkish officials

Eleven suspects have been charged over the killing of Jamal Khashoggi

Khashoggi's body, believed to be dismembered, has still not been found

The news came as 11 suspects alleged to be involved in the killing of the prominent critic attended their first court hearing in Riyadh.

The state-run Saudi Press Agency and state television gave few details about the hearing and did not name the suspects.

However, a statement from prosecutors said the suspects attended the hearing with their lawyers.

"The initial hearing for the 11 individuals indicted by the Public Prosecution in the case of the murder of citizen Jamal Khashoggi was held today … in the Criminal Court of Riyadh," a statement from the Saudi prosecutor carried by SPA said.

The prosecutor's office said 10 other suspects were still under investigation.

The statement also said prosecutors sent a request to Turkey for evidence that Ankara has collected over the October 2 slaying of Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul.

"No response has been received to date and the Public Prosecutor's Office is still waiting for an answer," the statement said.

Without naming them, the prosecutor said last November the five individuals facing the death penalty were "charged with ordering and committing the crime".

The Saudi Press Agency gave no details on the next hearing.

Saudi King Salman sacked Saud al-Qahtani, a former top aide to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Istanbul Consul General Mohammed Alotaibi and former deputy intelligence chief Ahmed al-Asiri in connection with Khashoggi's murder.

The kingdom has come under heavy international pressure, including from the United States, its closest ally, whose Senate has voted in favour of a resolution blaming the crown prince for the murder.

Officials in Turkey could not be immediately reached for comment.

Turkish officials have previously said they shared evidence with Saudi Arabia and other nations over Khashoggi's killing.